B Major 7th
Hear the B Major 7th chord played for you.
Bmaj7
B – D♯ – F♯ – A♯
Formula:R-M3-P5-M7
Intervals:P1-M3-P5-M7
Scale Degrees:1-3-5-7
Introduction
The B Major 7th chord is a four-note chord made up of B, D♯, F♯, and A♯. It is built from a root, major third, perfect fifth, and major seventh.
The B Major 7th piano chord (Bmaj7) consists of the notes B, D#, F#, A#. It is a major triad with an added major 7th, giving it a dreamy, sophisticated, and jazzy sound. Formula: R-M3-P5-M7 | Scale degrees: 1-3-5-7.
Notes
B Major 7th Inversions
| Position | Notes |
|---|---|
| Root Position | B – D♯ – F♯ – A♯ |
| 1st Inversion | D♯ – F♯ – A♯ – B |
| 2nd Inversion | F♯ – A♯ – B – D♯ |
| 3rd Inversion | B – D♯ – F♯ – A♯ |
Key Signature
The key of B Major 7th has 5 sharps.
F♯C♯G♯D♯A♯
Order of sharps
Sharps are added to a key signature in a fixed order. Each new sharp key adds the next sharp on the list.
F♯C♯G♯D♯A♯E♯B♯
Mnemonic: Father Charles Goes Down And Ends Battle
Chords in the Key of B Major
These are the diatonic triads built on each degree of the B major scale:
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
I — B Major (major)
Theory: Intervals
Formula: R-M3-P5-M7
Intervals: P1-M3-P5-M7
The B Major 7th is built by stacking intervals from the root note. The formula R-M3-P5-M7 describes the scale degrees used. The intervals P1-M3-P5-M7 show the distance between each note in the chord.
B Major 7th — Frequently Asked Questions
What notes are in the B Major 7th chord?
The B Major 7th chord (Bmaj7) contains four notes: B (root), D# (major third), F# (perfect fifth), and A# (major seventh). The major seventh gives this chord its warm, dreamy, sophisticated quality.
How does B Major 7th differ from B Dominant 7th?
Both contain B, D#, and F#. The difference is the seventh: Bmaj7 has A# (major seventh) while B7 has A (minor seventh). Bmaj7 sounds lush and resolved; B7 sounds tense and drives toward E Major.
How is B Major 7th used in music?
Bmaj7 is the I chord in jazz harmony in B Major. While B Major is less common in traditional jazz, Bmaj7 appears in contemporary jazz, fusion, pop-rock, and J-pop. Its rich sonority works well in atmospheric and cinematic contexts.
What genres commonly use Major 7th chords?
Major 7th chords are foundational in jazz, bossa nova, neo-soul, R&B, city pop, and lo-fi hip-hop. They also appear in classical impressionism and sophisticated pop. The dreamy quality is a signature of harmonically rich music.
What songs use Major 7th chords?
Major 7th chords appear in The Girl from Ipanema (Jobim), Don't Know Why (Norah Jones), and countless jazz standards. Stevie Wonder's catalogue is filled with major 7th voicings across many keys.
Can I substitute B Major 7th for B Major?
Yes — Bmaj7 can replace B Major for added warmth in most contexts. The exception is when the melody sits on B, since the A#–B semitone can create a clash.
Practice Tips
- Play B Major then add A# — hear the dreamy warmth the major seventh brings.
- Compare Bmaj7 with B7 — one semitone (A# vs A) is the difference between home and departure. Learn to hear this instantly.
- Practice the jazz ii–V–I in B: C#m7 → F#7 → Bmaj7. Even in less common keys, this progression must feel natural.
- Bmaj7 has a distinctive hand shape — all four notes on black keys except B itself. Use this physical pattern as a memory anchor.
- Try spread voicings: B–F#–A#–D# for a spacious, modern sound.
- Bmaj7 and Cbmaj7 are enharmonic equivalents — practice recognizing both spellings to build key fluency.
Related Tools
Chord FinderLook up any chord — see the notes, hear it, and play along.Chord DrillTimed drills to build speed and recognition across all chord types.Practice RoomPlug in a MIDI keyboard and get real-time feedback on every chord and scale.Circle of FifthsVisualize key relationships, relative minors, and key signatures.MIDI MonitorLive MIDI message stream with note names, velocity, and a scrolling staff.